Captain George Everard GibbonsMC,DFC (15 February 1896 – 20 March 1923) was a British World War I flying ace credited with 18 aerial victories gained while flying a Bristol F.2 Fighter in 1918. Both of his observers, Sidney Knights and Thomas Elliott, also became aces flying with him. Gibbons' final tally consisted of three enemy aircraft destroyed by fire, five others destroyed, and ten driven down out of control.[1]
George Everard Gibbons
Born
(1896-02-15)15 February 1896 Dudley, Worcestershire, England
Died
20 March 1923(1923-03-20) (aged 27) Stourbridge, Worcestershire, England
Gibbons enlisted in the 6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment on 2 September 1914,[1] and was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant on 23 February 1915.[2] He transferred to the North Staffordshire Regiment, and was promoted to lieutenant on 12 June 1916.[3] He joined the Royal Flying Corps on 15 November 1916 to serve as an observer in No. 20 Squadron, and after pilot training was appointed a flying officer on 6 September 1917.[4]
In early 1918 he joined No. 62 Squadron, flying the Bristol F.2, and with observer Lt. Sidney Knights, gained his first victory on 12 March, driving down a Fokker Dr.I 'out of control' near Nauroy, and sent down another enemy aircraft on 17 March. On 21 March 1918 he was appointed a flight commander with the rank of temporary captain, and then gained "flying ace" status on 3 May by accounting for three Albatros D.V fighters north of Armentières. His sixth victory came on 22 May, and then two more on the 28th. Gibbons, flying with observer 2nd Lt. Thomas Elliott, scored five more victories in August, and four more in September over Cambrai, with two each on the 3rd and 4th of the month.[1]
Towards the end of the war, he was posted to Home Establishment.[5] Gibbons finally left the RAF, being transferred to the unemployed list on 15 April 1919.[6]
Temporary Captain George Everard Gibbons, General List and R.A.F.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has lately destroyed three enemy machines and driven down others out of control. He has always shown great gallantry and keenness, and has commanded his flight with distinction, performing invaluable services in training young officers in the squadron.[8]
Distinguished Flying Cross
Lieutenant (Acting Captain) George Everard Gibbons, MC.
On 4 August, when leading a patrol, his formation was attacked by twenty enemy aeroplanes. Seeing one of our Bristol fighters, in difficulties with its propeller, being attacked by one of the enemy machines, he dived and drove it down to crash; when climbing back to join his formation his observer shot down another enemy machine. In addition to the foregoing Captain Gibbons has destroyed four enemy aeroplanes and driven down three out of control. The gallantry in action he invariably displays sets an inspiriting example to those with whom he serves.[9]
Referencesedit
^ abc"George Everard Gibbons". The Aerodrome. 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
^"No. 29656". The London Gazette. 7 July 1916. p. 6751.
^"No. 30311". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 September 1917. p. 10002.
^"62 Sqn RFC/RAF Pilots and Observers France 1918". A pilot's war 1915-1918. 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
^"No. 31396". The London Gazette. 10 June 1919. p. 7432.
^"No. 32837". The London Gazette. 26 June 1923. p. 4470.
^"No. 30901". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 September 1918. p. 10953.
^"No. 31046". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 November 1918. p. 14321.
Bibliographyedit
Guttman, Jon & Dempsey, Harry (2007). Bristol F2 Fighter Aces of World War I. Osprey Publishing. ISBN978-1-84603-201-1.
April 12, 2024
george, everard, gibbons, captain, february, 1896, march, 1923, british, world, flying, credited, with, aerial, victories, gained, while, flying, bristol, fighter, 1918, both, observers, sidney, knights, thomas, elliott, also, became, aces, flying, with, gibbo. Captain George Everard Gibbons MC DFC 15 February 1896 20 March 1923 was a British World War I flying ace credited with 18 aerial victories gained while flying a Bristol F 2 Fighter in 1918 Both of his observers Sidney Knights and Thomas Elliott also became aces flying with him Gibbons final tally consisted of three enemy aircraft destroyed by fire five others destroyed and ten driven down out of control 1 George Everard GibbonsBorn 1896 02 15 15 February 1896Dudley Worcestershire EnglandDied20 March 1923 1923 03 20 aged 27 Stourbridge Worcestershire EnglandAllegianceUnited KingdomService wbr branchBritish ArmyRoyal Air ForceYears of service1914 1919RankCaptainUnitSouth Staffordshire Regiment North Staffordshire Regiment No 20 Squadron RFC No 62 Squadron RFC RAFAwardsMilitary CrossDistinguished Flying Cross Contents 1 Military service 2 Honours and awards 3 References 4 BibliographyMilitary service editGibbons enlisted in the 6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment on 2 September 1914 1 and was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant on 23 February 1915 2 He transferred to the North Staffordshire Regiment and was promoted to lieutenant on 12 June 1916 3 He joined the Royal Flying Corps on 15 November 1916 to serve as an observer in No 20 Squadron and after pilot training was appointed a flying officer on 6 September 1917 4 In early 1918 he joined No 62 Squadron flying the Bristol F 2 and with observer Lt Sidney Knights gained his first victory on 12 March driving down a Fokker Dr I out of control near Nauroy and sent down another enemy aircraft on 17 March On 21 March 1918 he was appointed a flight commander with the rank of temporary captain and then gained flying ace status on 3 May by accounting for three Albatros D V fighters north of Armentieres His sixth victory came on 22 May and then two more on the 28th Gibbons flying with observer 2nd Lt Thomas Elliott scored five more victories in August and four more in September over Cambrai with two each on the 3rd and 4th of the month 1 Towards the end of the war he was posted to Home Establishment 5 Gibbons finally left the RAF being transferred to the unemployed list on 15 April 1919 6 He died in Stourbridge Worcestershire on 20 March 1923 7 Honours and awards editMilitary Cross Temporary Captain George Everard Gibbons General List and R A F For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty He has lately destroyed three enemy machines and driven down others out of control He has always shown great gallantry and keenness and has commanded his flight with distinction performing invaluable services in training young officers in the squadron 8 dd Distinguished Flying Cross Lieutenant Acting Captain George Everard Gibbons MC On 4 August when leading a patrol his formation was attacked by twenty enemy aeroplanes Seeing one of our Bristol fighters in difficulties with its propeller being attacked by one of the enemy machines he dived and drove it down to crash when climbing back to join his formation his observer shot down another enemy machine In addition to the foregoing Captain Gibbons has destroyed four enemy aeroplanes and driven down three out of control The gallantry in action he invariably displays sets an inspiriting example to those with whom he serves 9 dd References edit a b c George Everard Gibbons The Aerodrome 2014 Retrieved 21 January 2015 No 29080 The London Gazette 23 February 1915 p 1837 No 29656 The London Gazette 7 July 1916 p 6751 No 30311 The London Gazette Supplement 25 September 1917 p 10002 62 Sqn RFC RAF Pilots and Observers France 1918 A pilot s war 1915 1918 2014 Retrieved 21 January 2015 No 31396 The London Gazette 10 June 1919 p 7432 No 32837 The London Gazette 26 June 1923 p 4470 No 30901 The London Gazette Supplement 13 September 1918 p 10953 No 31046 The London Gazette Supplement 29 November 1918 p 14321 Bibliography editGuttman Jon amp Dempsey Harry 2007 Bristol F2 Fighter Aces of World War I Osprey Publishing ISBN 978 1 84603 201 1 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title George Everard Gibbons amp oldid 1190259712, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
